2015 IHSA Collegiate Riding Diverse

2015 IHSA Collegiate Riding Proves As Diverse Than Ever

Fairfield, CT (September 22, 2015) It's been said that Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association riders and alumni can be found everywhere and now the international epicenter of Washington DC and coach Star Dalley's IHSA equestrian team at American University are reflecting that same impressive degree of geopolitical diversity.

Joining this year's AU Eagles as freshmen are Walk-Trot-Canter division riders Clara Delahouliere, a polo player from Aigremont, France, and Fariyah El Frih, a 31 year-old mother of three from Saudi Arabia; a non-showing member (but not for long if his teammates have a say in the matter), Dylan Wong, of Kingston, Jamaica; and Novice division riders Elizabeth Rose Kazan of New York and Jessica Juselis of Hawaii.

“Fariyah is beyond excited to join our team,” says AU sophomore Neuroscience major and Novice division team rider, Hannah Goldbach. “She is returning to college and mentioned that the equestrian team was a deciding factor in choosing her school. Juselis and Kazan may be from opposite sides of the United States but they're both super impressive riders.

“Another fun fact?” says Goldbach, who in her 'free' time serves as the team's show organizer, social media administrator and as a professional equine photographer for Andrew Ryback Photography. “Our team president, Elaina Bade, is one of just three interns for one of the nation's most important indoors, the Washington International Horse Show.”

The mission of IHSA, which celebrates 50 years in 2017, is to promote competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional to national levels, and is based on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of financial status or riding level. Learn more at www.ihsainc.com .